The Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Onofiok Luke has promised to continue to champion the cause of better welfare for judicial officers in the country. He stated this in a goodwill message at the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 All Nigeria Judges’ Conferences of the Lower Courts held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja on Monday.
Luke said that the welfare of Judicial officers is very important. According to him; “the starting point for enhancing the role of the judiciary in nation building is by improving the living and working conditions of judges especially judges of the lower courts”.
“Some judges of the lower courts are without official vehicle, security, and they are poorly remunerated. They are also faced with inconvenient and uncomfortable working environment and conditions”.
“On our part as a Committee, we have continually push for improved welfare and working conditions for judges through bills, motions and advocacy. This push has yielded positive results in some areas; one of which is the upward review of the appropriation for the judiciary”, Luke added.
The Federal Lawmaker asked the National Judicial Institute to consider the training of judicial officers on some areas of the economy like oil and gas and the understanding of Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.
He pledged the continuous support of the Committee on Judiciary to ensuring a well positioned, better equipped and independent judiciary.